Former FSU quarterback Coker visits Alabama, which loses QB recruit

Former Florida State quarterback Jacob Coker was in Tuscaloosa on Saturday as he considers transferring to Alabama.

Coker, who is from Mobile, Ala., backed up Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston this past season. The sophomore played sparingly and injured his knee late in the year.

Shortly after Florida State won the national title, the school released him from his scholarship.

Coker’s high school coach, Steve Mask of St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, said Coker spent the weekend in Tuscaloosa after Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban visited the quarterback at his home earlier in the week.

“I know he had a very good home visit last week with Coach Saban,” Mask said. He added that Coker’s decision could come soon.

Meanwhile, quarterback Ricky Town, one of the top quarterback recruits for the 2105 class, decommitted from Alabama on Saturday.

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound signal-caller from Ventura, Calif., who had been committed to the Crimson Tide since August, announced the change on Twitter and later confirmed the decision to ESPN.com. He reportedly was visiting Southern Cal on Saturday.

Alabama is looking to replace Heisman finalist AJ McCarron, who also went to St. Paul’s. McCarron started for three seasons and led the Tide to two national championships.

Coker, who battled Winston in a close spring practice competition, is on target to graduate from Florida State in the spring and would be eligible to play next season.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Coker completed 18 of 36 passes for 250 yards and an interception this season. He tore cartilage in his knee on Nov. 9 against Wake Forest and missed the rest of the season. He was still on crutches at the national championship game.